Originally published: April 16, 2014

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MEDIUM

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While compact cars rock north of the border, Americans prefer a bit more room in their passenger cars. That makes the debut of the redesigned 2015 Hyundai Sonata midsize sedan one of the most important premieres here in New York.

When the last generation, front-wheel-drive, five-passenger Sonata four-door sedan arrived for 2011, it raised the bar for style in what is normally a bland-is-better segment. But with recently introduced stylish family sedans — like the Ford Fusion and Mazda6 — popping up, the Korean automaker has felt the need to deliver a substantially redesigned, seventh-generation 2015 Sonata with new styling, advanced driver assistance technologies, and updated engineering innovations to improve ride and handling.

Now wearing what Hyundai calls its new “Fluidic Sculpture 2.0” design language, the existing Sonata sedan’s swoopy exterior lines have been sharpened-up a bit. The fact it also looks akin to the just introduced 2015 Hyundai Genesis luxury sedan is no coincidence.

Inside the 2015 Sonata, a new, driver-oriented centre stack is put together with what Hyundai says is higher-quality materials than the last model. And like a lot of the Sonata’s rivals, driver assistance technologies once normally associated with high-end luxury sedans — including Forward Collision Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Detection with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, a Lane Departure Warning System — will be now be available on the 2015 version.

The last-generation Sonata was one of the first cars in its class to eschew a six-cylinder gas engine, going with a pair of fours alone. And that continues with the redesigned 2015 version too. Hyundai says the Sonata’s standard 2.4-litre four (that currently makes 190 horsepower) and the optional turbocharged 2.0L four (with 274 hp) have been “revised to offer increased low-end response and enhanced drivability.” A redesigned gasoline-electric Sonata Hybrid will eventually be introduced as well.

The 2015 Hyundai Sonata is unveiled April 16, 2014 at the Jacob Javits Center in New York.Mark Leinnihan, Associated Press

Hyundai also says its engineers focused on reducing noise, vibration and harshness in the new Sonata. And just as the 2015 Sonata takes its styling cues from the upmarket Genies luxury sedan, the smaller Sonata’s redesigned chassis was “validated in extremely demanding environments, including Germany’s Nürburgring Nordschleife racing circuit.” And to satisfy such driving enthusiasts, the 2015 Sonata will introduce a Sport trim that features unique exterior styling, new interior bits and tighter handling.

Pricing for the new 2015 Hyundai Sonata is expected to be announced closer to its on-sale date this July, and will be similar the outgoing model’s $24,000 to $34,000 price range.